Travels with Tricia

An Imperial City structure in Hue, Vietnam shows signs of war.

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Photo du Jour: An Imperial City Destroyed By War – Hué, Vietnam

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Tricia A. Mitchell

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Many of the walls of Hué’s Imperial Enclosure and Forbidden Purple City bear the scars of war from decades past. There are walls devoured by mortar rounds and brick façades pock-marked by bullets.

The circa-1804 citadel in Vietnam’s once imperial city, was first destroyed in the 1947 French Indochina War, and later during Vietnam / “American” War fighting during the battle for Hué in 1968. Only 20 of the Imperial Enclosure’s original 148 buildings survived.

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Photography & text © Tricia A. Mitchell. All Rights Reserved.

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About the author

Hi! My name is Tricia Mitchell. I delight in telling stories about my slow travels through more than 65 countries. Some of my highlights have included sharing meals with locals in Armenia, Cambodia, and Tunisia; sipping sparkling wine with French cousins in Alsace; milking goats in a sleepy Bulgarian village; and training with a Japanese mine-clearance team in Laos. My husband, Shawn, and I are based in France’s Loire Valley.

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10 responses to “Photo du Jour: An Imperial City Destroyed By War – Hué, Vietnam”

  1. marinachetner Avatar
    marinachetner

    An excellent photo! Simply beautiful, bringing a sense of mystery from your composition. I am grateful for buildings like this to still be standing – their architecture is so other-worldly.

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Cám ơn (Vietnamese for thanks) for your comment, Marina!

      I’ll be sharing more images of this amazing architecture in Hué soon… We could have spent a few days exploring all the citadel’s nooks and crannies. The fog definitely lended an air of mystery as we tried to imagine what history those buildings had witnessed. Hué was certainly one of our favorite stops in Vietnam.

      Reply
  2. loveantoinette Avatar
    loveantoinette

    Tricia the more I read your posts, the more I can’t wait to head back to Southeast Asia, and stay for AWHILE! Great photo, as always :o)

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Antoinette, what countries are on your must see list?

      Here’s hoping you’ll make it here again very soon. It’s nice to know that my posts are inspiring your travel bug! :-)

      Reply
  3. janewalters Avatar
    janewalters

    Beautiful photo, you can imagine that building being very grand once, it’s such a pity these buildings end up being destroyed.

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Jane, I saw a quote from a former soldier lamenting about Hué – “In order to save it, we had to destroy it..” Hué was strategically important for both sides in the war, and sadly, the people and the historical structures took the blows.

      We read that the government is also not keen to pay much attention to imperial icons. It would be wonderful if a balance could be struck between development programs that benefit the people and the restoration of such historically-significant architectural jewels!

      Nice to hear from you again!

      Reply
  4. Shutter Bug Avatar
    Shutter Bug

    Very well captured, Tricia. I love the way you composed the photo and the bits of history you provided. Looking forward to seeing you next photos from Indochina.

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Jessie, I have so many images to share, as well as stories! We’ve just finished a lengthy overland journey from Vietnam to Laos, and here’s hoping that I’ll find some spare moments to blog shortly.

      As always, comments (and insight) coming from a photographer as gifted as yourself mean a lot! Hope you’re enjoying the weekend too.

      Reply
  5. ZJim Avatar
    ZJim

    Trish,

    Barbara and i love your site. It is great following you around Asia.

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Jim & Barbara, so nice to hear from you two! I’m happy that you can live vicariously through our posts (you’re probably thinking it’s nice to do so sans the crazy bus rides and other dodgy moments). I think of everyone back in HD often! Thanks again for dropping in.

      Reply